From Strengthening Bones and Muscles to Aiding Sound sleep, Baby Massages Are a Tradition You Must Keep Alive(2020)! 10 Massage Oils That Give Your Baby the All-Natural Health Boost They Need!

According to popular research regular contact and bonding with your baby make for a healthy brain and emotional development in the baby, the benefits of which last throughout life. Regular massages not only help you and your baby connect closely, but your touch deepens the connection, comforting and relaxing both of you. During a massage, while you and your baby face each other, your eye contact helps your baby identify your facial expressions and makes your baby develop his/her communication skills. A massage also develops the kid’s brain and nervous system. Massaging also helps with gas, constipation, colic, cramps, easing muscular tensions, teething discomfort or growing pains as well as stimulate growth in premature babies.

As good as oils are for a baby’s massage and overall growth, there may be some natural oils that may irritate the baby’s skin and be unsafe. While Olive oil’s a healthy choice for daily diet, it may not be apt for the baby’s delicate skin, especially if the baby has a skin rash and lead to skin eruptions as well. Avocado mashed is excellent for a baby’s diet but its oil isn’t, owing to the presence of fat oleic acid. Peanut oil includes peanut proteins which some babies may be sensitive to and can cause skin irritation, while mustard oil can heat up the baby’s skin. Tea Tree Oil has antibacterial and antiviral properties but can be irritating on the baby’s delicate skin, while soya bean oil may harm the skin barrier and lead to redness and irritation.

Normally parents can start massaging their baby, just a few weeks after the baby’s birth, however, the massage is best done according to the baby’s mood, when the baby’s calm and alert. It should be a comfortable time and experience for the baby. Never massage immediately after feeding, wait at least 45 minutes till after the feed is over. While a gentle massage every day helps, you can span it during the morning for a good day ahead or in the night for a good night's sleep. Your baby’s cues can help you know which time is best to massage your baby.

Massage the baby in a comfortably warm and quiet place, placing your child on a towel on his/her back to maintain eye contact. Begin by slowly rubbing each body part with gentle touches. Start with the head and move gradually towards the feet. Take your time to massage your baby and ensure that each portion of the massage lasts as long as both your baby are enjoying it. You can also try placing the baby on his/her tummy for a short rub. Be sure to keep communicating with your baby throughout the massage session, calling out your baby’s name repeatedly and the word ‘relax’ to keep the baby calm or even croon a nursery rhyme or song as your go about massaging each body part. You can choose a dry or oil massage. Remember, baby massages are wonderful and soothing therapy for your baby’s relaxation, comfort and bonding with each other. The practice would make it perfect for both you and your baby and help improve your connection.

A naturally cold-pressed oil that’s soothing and gentle for baby’s skin, Mamaearth Soothing Massage Oil keeps the baby’s skin soft and supple. A natural blend of sesame, olive oil, pure almond and jojoba, this 100% natural cold-pressed oil makes your baby’s skin glow from within and healthily so! Priced at Rs.399 for 200ml, Mamaearth Soothing Massage Oil is good not only for nourishing the skin but also for strengthening the bones. While almond oil moisturizes dry skin, Jojoba makes the skin soft, nourishing it and keeping damage from the sun far away. Furthermore, massage time is an ideal opportunity to bond with your baby and shower your love on the lil’ angel.

Figaro Olive Oil is a non-irritant and considered one of the best baby massage oils in the market, that’s gentle on the skin, versatile and leaves the skin hydrated. Rich in antioxidants, Figaro Olive Oil can be used for skin, hair care and cooking as well. It’s a natural oil that makes the skin soft and supple and adds an additional glow to the skin. Free from Argemone Oil, Figaro Olive Oil is pre-loaded with the goodness of Olives and acts as a perfect massage oil for babies, suitable for all skin types and is packed with antioxidants. Priced at Rs.1,457 for 2 litres, Figaro Olive Oil has 900 kcal energy and 100g fat.

A gentle massage oil that cares for your baby’s skin and protects it, Sebamed Soothing Baby Massage Oil acts as an emollient that softens and soothes your baby’s skin, strengthening and improving its tolerance level. With Vitamin F (a soya oil compound) as an active ingredient, Sebamed Soothing Baby Massage Oil also includes a high content of linoleic acids and wheat germ oil to maintain the moisture content and lipid balance in the baby’s skin. Sebamed Soothing Baby Massage Oil is a herbal oil priced at Rs.350 for 150ml and contains Glycine soja oil, Oleyl Erucate, Tritum vulgare germ oil, Coco-Caprylate, and Parfum.

Inclusive of olive oil, winter cherry and aloe vera, Himalaya Herbal Baby Massage Oil is a gentle and mild option for one of the best baby massage oils in India, especially for premature babies. Himalaya Herbal Baby Massage Oil leaves the skin nourished and soft. A regular rub of this oil on your baby’s skin will significantly improve the baby’s overall well-being and strengthen the baby’s bones. A non-staining and lightweight oil, Himalaya Herbal Baby Massage Oil is mineral oil and lanolin-free and includes anti-microbial properties for healthy and radiant skin. Himalaya Herbal Baby Massage Oil is priced at Rs.349 for 500ml.

Dabur Lal Tail is an Ayurvedic Oil and yet another best massage oil in the market for strong bones, nourishing infant skin and keeping babies happy and healthy. Made from time tested ingredients that have proven benefits for babies, Dabur Lal Tail strengthens muscles and bones and improves the overall growth of babies, with 2 times faster growth in weight and height, and also induces better sleep patterns in babies that are significant for their development. Priced at Rs.338 for 500ml, Dabur Lal Tail also relieves digestive troubles and stimulates blood circulation in babies.

Priced at Rs.349 for 200ml, The Moms Co Virgin Coconut Oil comes packed with natural ingredients that nourish, hydrate and strengthen the baby’s skin, bones and leave behind a glowing and healthy skin. Regular application of The Moms Co Virgin Coconut Oil nurtures, relaxes and strengthens the babies’ bones and muscles owing to a toxin-free blend of 10 powerful ingredients like organic Jojoba, sesame, USDA certified almond, avocado, organic chamomile, natural Vitamin E and more. The Moms Co Virgin Coconut Oil has been tested clinically, is hypoallergenic and gentle for the skin’s overall health and soft skin texture.

A triple blend of soya bean oil, sunflower oil and shea butter that contribute in preserving of your baby’s skin barrier, Cetaphil Baby Massage Oil keeps babies healthy and nourished. Priced at Rs.455 for 200ml, Cetaphil Baby Massage Oil locks-in moisture and protects the skin from external irritants and is cruelty-free and paraben-free as well. Cetaphil Baby Massage Oil has been dermatologically tested and has a gentle formulation for delicate baby skin and comes with no mineral oil, alcohol or soap. The presence of organic calendula as one of the ingredients makes Cetaphil Baby Massage Oil an ideal protective and good massage oil for your little one.

Chicco Natural Sensation Body Massage Oil has been specially formulated for a baby’s delicate skin to keep it soft, healthy and supple. It moisturizes and soothes the skin, strengthening bones and muscles and has been proven safe and effective for the overall health and development of babies, their muscles and bones. Chicco Natural Sensation Body Massage Oil, priced at Rs.641 for 100ml, comes allergen-free and is pre-approved by Dermatologists. Chicco Natural Sensation Body Massage Oil enhances the natural suppleness of babies’ skin.

A moisture-rich baby oil, Baby Dove Rich Moisture Baby Massage Oil works absolute magic on the baby’s skin making it soft, healthy and glowing. Suited best for a gentle massage every day, Baby Dove Rich Moisture Baby Massage Oil gives you an opportunity to attend to and care about your baby’s skin, prevent moisture loss, soothe dry skin and keep it strong and healthy. Baby Dove Rich Moisture Baby Massage Oil formulation is lightweight, non-greasy and fast-absorbing that keeps the baby’s skin hydrated and nurtured all day long. Baby Dove Rich Moisture Baby Massage Oil is priced at Rs.109 for 100ml.

Priced at Rs.449 for 100ml, Tjori Olive & Flaxseed Baby Massage Oil is rich in flaxseed, castor and sesame oils which strengthen the babies’ muscles, providing the much-needed nourishment and strength that’s required for the babies’ overall development. According to popular research and Ayurvedic learnings, flaxseed oil delays the ageing signs, balancing the pH balance in your baby’s skin, heals wounds and also fights dryness. An ideal choice for massage oil, Tjori Olive & Flaxseed Baby Massage Oil maintains a baby’s skin texture and its herbal formulation protects it from external irritants. Tjori Olive & Flaxseed Baby Massage Oil also soothes the baby’s nervous system, helps in improved sleep patterns and comes free of all SLS and Parabens and other harsh chemicals.

As parents, you need to be especially careful while choosing products for your little one, keeping in mind the baby’s soft and delicate skin and the quality of products you’d be using for your child’s overall health and development. Lotions can help retain the moisture content in the skin and have your baby’s skin soft and healthy. The best time to use a lotion for your baby is right after a bath to lock in moisture and support the skin barrier and hence lotions that have been formulated without harsh ingredients and aren't irritating or rough on the skin are ideal for your baby.